Cherry-Evans doubt for England game

Scans in Brisbane on Sunday revealed Australia half-back Daly Cherry-Evans suffered a minor hip muscle tear during his side’s 30-12 Four Nations defeat by New Zealand.

The Manly Sea Eagles player, who was a replacement for the injured Johnathan Thurston, went off before half-time at the Suncorp Stadium and was sorely missed as the Kangaroos conceded 24 unanswered points.

“Cherry-Evans’ recovery will continue to be monitored by the Holden Kangaroos’ medical staff, but he remains a chance of playing against England at Melbourne’s AAMI Park next Sunday,” an NRL spokesman said.

However, Australian coach Tim Sheens will be wary of taking a risk on another player’s fitness after a decision to play an ill Greg Inglis backfired spectacularly on Saturday.

Inglis had been nursed through the week after contracting a virus from team-mate Sam Thaiday and convinced coaching staff he could play, only to pull out at half-time with dizziness and dehydration.

Cherry-Evans’ likely absence is set to pave the way for Brisbane scrum-half Ben Hunt to make his Test debut against Steve McNamara’s men.

Australia need to beat England to keep alive their hopes of reaching the November 15 final in Wellington.